Raluca Radu (ANSWEAR.ro) set to return as a speaker at BR’s re:FOCUS on eCommerce, Retail & Logistics

Raluca Radu, Country Manager, ANSWEAR Romania, returns as a speaker at re:FOCUS on eCommerce, Retail & Logistics 2023 edition, after also being part of BR’s landmark retail & logistics conference in 2021 and 2022. In anticipation for Business Review’s first event of the year,  Raluca Radu sat down with Business Review for an exclusive preview of the Romanian e-commerce scene in 2023.

How did the fashion e-commerce segment evolve last year and what is the trend it will follow this year?

The Romanian e-commerce market has increased last year by less than 10% as a result of the consolidation of the market. However, the Romanian fashion e-commerce market increase surpassed the average e-commerce market increase and we are estimating it at around 30%. The main factors contributing to this increase were the end of the pandemic restrictions and the increase of public trust in fashion e-commerce. Our estimation is that online fashion will grow by more than 20% in 2023 as a result of the rise in traveling post-COVID.

Has there been a change in the consumption behaviour of Romanians in terms of online fashion trade last year compared to the pandemic period?

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Raluca Radu (ANSWEAR.ro): E-commerce has become a habit for Romanian shoppers

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Yes, after the restrictions stopped, online fashion shopping increased, and especially some of the categories were diversified. There was a surge in categories like high-heel shoes, dresses as well as sneakers and coats. The average order value has also increased by more than 40% as a result of both the increase in shopping appetite and the increase in prices that was visible on the market in the second half of 2022. There was also an increase in the delivery to pick up points and lockers and we believe that

What significant developments could the e-commerce segment in Romania experience this year?

We believe there will be an increase in the use of alternative payment methods like Buy Now Pay Later methods. We believe there will be an increase, especially in the segments of fashion, beauty products, and everything connected to travel

What are your plans for development in 2023?

Our plans for 2023 are to invest in expanding our brand portfolio and we especially plan to expand it with Scandinavian brands as well as premium segment brands. We will also continue to invest in the development of the Answear LAB brand and diversify its offer. We will continue to invest in diversifying the payment and delivery methods for our customers in order to offer them better services and we take into account various projects in order to improve our delivery times.

What tools did your company use last year to retain existing customers and attract new ones?

We are investing continuously in ANSWEAR Club, our loyalty program. Through it our customers receive points in exchange for the value of the orders they place in our online shop.